Unifying Innovations in Forecasting Capabilities Workshop 2025 (UIFCW25)

This session will highlight advancements in the UFS Short Range Weather (SRW) Application, the Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS), and the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) dynamical core. This session should focus on model development, data assimilation, physics enhancements, and verification efforts to improve high-impact, short-range weather forecasts. Contributions on system performance, operational readiness, and emerging research are encouraged.

UFS Application – Coastal, Marine, Oceans and Ecology

This session will showcase developments in the UFS for coastal, marine, ocean, and ecological applications, including advancements in the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS). Topics may include model coupling, data assimilation, physics improvements, and applications for forecasting and ecosystem predictions. Contributions on operational implementation and research advancements are also welcome.

UFS Application – Air Quality, Atmospheric Composition, Aerosols (including smoke, dust and fire capabilities) 

This session will highlight advancements in the UFS for air quality, atmospheric composition, and aerosol modeling, including capabilities for smoke, dust, and fire forecasting. Topics may include model development, data assimilation, emissions modeling, chemical processes, and verification efforts. Submissions focusing on new methodologies, improved predictive capabilities, and real-world applications are also welcome.

Cross-Cutting  – Data Assimilation

Data Assimilation (DA) is a critical component of Earth System Prediction. In this session, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on DA, DA applications, innovative observing techniques and coupled DA processes. Challenges and opportunities in data assimilation may also be addressed.

UFS Application – Global Applications Across Scales

This session will focus on advancements in the UFS for global applications including Atmospheric Rivers and global workflow.  Topics may include model improvements, data assimilation, coupling strategies, and verification methods. Presenters are encouraged to address forecasting challenges, operational integration, and emerging research.

Community Engagement/Collaboration

This session will feature discussions about community engagement efforts related to the Unified Forecast System (UFS) and highlight opportunities for collaboration across the large platform of users. Presenters are encouraged to emphasize interdisciplinary partnerships, knowledge sharing, and effective communication of science across various audiences.

Emerging Technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML)

This session invites developers/scientists who are actively working on topics included but not limited to: The development and operationalization of partial/full data-driven models for short-, mid- long-term weather forecasting, AI-based parametrization, novel techniques for accuracy improvement using AI in DA and/or post-processing, software/hardware engineering aspects related to model development, data acquisition, scalability on training and inference, etc.

Student Session (Includes option for an oral or a poster presentation)

Share your Earth system modeling research and goals along with your plans to achieve them through community modeling.  The abstracts may include topics on any numerical model and its application. This is open to current undergraduate and graduate students in a related science field.

Poster Session

Share your research, use case, or innovation with other community members during our poster session and networking mixer! Abstract submissions to the poster session are required.